BANTEN – Journalists from Cilegon Parliamentary Journalists (JPC) and Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) Cilegon have loudly urged the Chief of Banten Regional Police to intervene and take firm action against perpetrators of the brutal violence incident that affected eight journalists while performing reporting duties in Serang Regency.
The perpetrators are suspected to be a combination of certain officials, company security, and mass organization members. This incident is no longer just an assault case but has become a warning bell for press freedom and law supremacy in Banten.
Demands are now directed to the newly appointed Chief of Banten Regional Police, Brigadier General Hengki, to prove his commitment in protecting journalistic work guaranteed by law.
A quick response came from journalists in Cilegon City. Media colleagues held a solidarity action at Cilegon City Landmark, Banten Province.
The Chairman of PWI Cilegon City stated that they immediately held a solidarity action as a form of support and affirmation that the press in Banten cannot be divided. For him, the wounds suffered by violence victims in Serang are wounds felt together.
“We journalists in Banten Province are one united strength, one same family. We want to declare that our colleagues who were harmed in Serang Regency due to violence and intimidation against the journalistic profession become shared concern and pain for colleagues in Cilegon,” he said.
Company Suspected of Operating Illegally
Furthermore, he highlighted suspicions of deeper motives behind the violence. He revealed that the company where the incident occurred is not a new name in environmental law enforcement records.
“The company is suspected to be operating again backed by mass organizations and certain officials. This becomes a concerning note that security in Banten Province remains vulnerable to being controlled by thuggery, mass organization elements, or official involvement in certain violations,” he emphasized.
This suspicion strengthens the belief that journalists’ presence is considered a threat to illegal activities being protected. Therefore, he urged that this case not be taken lightly and should become the first test for the new Banten Police Chief’s leadership.
“This must be firmly handled by the new Police Chief, by police officials. This case must not tarnish law enforcement institutions, we demand firm action that there be no more violence against the journalistic profession,” he stated.
“We are a profession that provides and facilitates society to obtain information and our presence in coverage activities and journalism agendas is solely to provide information to the public. There should be no elements who consider our profession as obstructing negative activities they protect,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of JPC specifically demanded that all parties involved in the assault, without exception, be legally processed.
“All involved parties including employees, mass organizations, to certain officials must be firmly dealt with. Because what was done includes obstructing journalistic work that must convey the truest information,” he emphasized.
He clearly reminded that violence against the press is a direct attack against democracy pillars and constitutes a serious violation of Law Number 40 of 1999 concerning the Press.
“All forms of violence against journalists are violations of law and democracy. We urge the Banten Police Chief (Brigadier General Hengki) to intervene in handling this violence case against journalists,” he said.
JAKARTA – Village-Owned Enterprises must be ensured to become the driving engine of village economy in the journey towards Golden Indonesia 2045.
This statement was conveyed by a member of the House of Representatives, during a Public Discussion Forum held via Zoom Meeting, attended by more than 250 participants and lasting from 09:00-12:00 WIB.
He reminded that Village-Owned Enterprises should not fall into the same failures as cooperatives in the past. “Village-Owned Enterprises must become the engine of village development, a fair distribution container, and a way out for farmers from the grip of middlemen and loan sharks,” he emphasized.
He affirmed that the success of Village-Owned Enterprises will determine the face of Indonesia’s economy in the future. “Cooperatives are the engine of village economy. If villages are strong, Indonesia will accelerate towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” he explained.
Meanwhile, another speaker added that cooperatives must be able to
